Recalling 1982 – Singing for the Pope

6 September 2010

Today’s memory of the 1982 papal visit comes from Taunton.  We hear about St Teresa of Lisieux parishioner Doug Lowe singing at Wembley for the Pope.

Was it that long ago I sung for Pope John Paul II at Wembley?

At the time we lived in Goodmayes near Ilford in Essex and I had organised a music day for folk groups in Brentwood Cathedral.  

I received a phone call some months before the Pope’s visit asking if I would like to join the choir to sing for the Pope at Wembley.  I was over the moon, but I worked for Sainsbury’s managing a large department and I needed four Saturdays off; and that was something you only had if you were on holiday or sick.  I also had a young family so it would it would be hard, but Sainsbury’s said yes and Mary, my wife, was all for me taking part.

We had our first practice in Brentwood to look at the music, some of it was still not ready but being unable to read music proved to be no problem as I picked it up very quickly as I was told later. I think there were 50 of us and in total with 200 in the main choir. We had our first Saturday practice travelling up to Westminster where Stephen Cleobury CBE was there to greet us and conduct us.  The day seemed go by in a flash I just seemed to remember how Stephen could tell which group were not singing the right part of the music and then sing what they should be singing it was amazing!

The three Saturdays seemed to fly by; we had to send lots of information in so we could be security checked, as we would be very close to the Pope. The day arrived and we left very early by coach.  When we arrived at Wembley there were few people around. We passed through all the checks and moved into the royal box but there was no time to admire anything as we seemed to spend the next three hours running through the music with different people singing some new pieces. We then went to have lunch, change and get back in place.

We had people waving to us, some priests were already there and the excitement started to build, we could hear cheering, we were all poised ready to start the Mass.

The Pope was so close; just under us I could see the very large altar.  I’m sure no one had seen such large an altar before.  I remember thinking England had not seen anything like this before.

The Pope seemed to love the music, he kept on turning around and clapping when we finished singing something, we received a special blessing from him as well.

It seemed to be over so quickly.  We were all back on the coach to go home feeling shattered and just sitting watching the world going by.  When I arrived home I was greeted with stories from the children of what they saw on the TV.  Sadly none of me but of course it was a wonderful day and a privilege.

Doug Lowe

Yesterday's 1982 memory is still online.

We look forward to welcoming Pope Benedict who comes to help us, as a society, to see that faith in God is not so much a problem to be solved as a gift to be discovered afresh.

The papal visit begins for our diocese on the eve of the Holy Father’s historic visit to the United Kingdom.  A special evening of prayers will take place in the Cathedral led by Bishop Declan and Bishop Tom Burns of Menevia, we will join together and pray that the papal visit lights up the heart of our nation.  All are welcome to take part from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm on Wednesday 15 September.  You can find out much more about this unique celebration by listening to our 'Taper Tales' podcast series preseneted by Father Jason Jones, the ector of the National Shrine of Wales.

As we prepare to welcome Pope Benedict XVI we invite you to an evening with the man who’s presenting the BBC’s portrait of the Holy Father.  Award-winning TV documentary maker Mark Dowd will share with us how he’s grown in his understanding of the Holy Father’s vision for our world.  All are welcome to this free event as we look forward to welcoming the Bishop of Rome.  It takes place in Bath on Friday 10 September at 7.00 pm.

The official website thepapalvisit.org.uk is the best place to find out the most up-to-date information in the build up to the special time in the life of the Church in our countries.  It will also provide full coverage during the visit - a great place for you to follow the visit virtually if you are unable to be at any of the large public papal events.

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Our striking posters, displayed in all our parishes and many other places, welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom are available to all.  You can download your copy in the multimedia panel on the right and put them up to welcome the Holy Father and his historic visit.  You can also download posters promoting the events in Bath and the Cathedral.